Tag Archives: Venice

Old Doors

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There is something about old doors. Perhaps it is the burnishing of years. The polish on the handle from years of touch.The peel of paint from years of facing the sun, of blocking the wind, of grazing passed guests. On the alluring canals of Venice the sea literally creeps up the stairs and through the doors… like an envious ghost into the lives within.

Pets pawing. Mail slipping through. New dreams floating in on new furniture. Old dreams slipping out on final goodbyes. A door sets the tone of a home, suggests what’s inside but keeps it hidden.

In Europe there are so many fascinating old doors, you cannot help but want to open them like a wonderful box of chocolates to see what is inside. Here is a selection of fabulously carved, faded, fantastical doors from my trip to Italy.

All Photographs copyright  Heather Ross shot on location Italy 2012

Watery dreams of Venice

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Those who read my last post or follow me on Facebook know that I am Italy, entrenched in the elemental pleasures of Italy. Our first stop was Venice. Terri of Windlost once wrote of my boutique ‘entering the shop was like waking up inside in a lovely, watery dream…’ and this is exactly how I felt about Venice! With over a thousand images of this magical floating city to choose from…I will start with water as a theme, and work my way with other posts into earthen walls and wooden doors etc. The Natural Eclectic is about themes elegant, evocative & elemental, so this seems like a natural form of image selection for me. Growing up near the ocean I have aways loved a watery palette of sea tones, greys and greens. The ocean is mysterious, moving, ever changing, water sustains life, water represents emotion. It can be deep dark and haunting or sheer fluid and inviting. In Venice it was ever luminous while also murky, seeping it’s way into the thread of life as it meandered under doorways, up stairs, under bridges and out into the rosy horizon…..





all photos copyright  Heather Ross 2012

anticipation and imagination

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In a few days time I will be flying into Venice Italy. Everyone says you must see Venice at least once in your lifetime. The anticipation is delectable. I imagine atmospheric misty skies, deep dark earthy/watery/smoky smells, warm rosy hues, crumbling facades, amazing polychrome doors, fantastic keyholes and door handles, ornate bridges, fanciful gilding and old mossy grey green stonework. There is so much grandeur to see, and many recommendations for Museums, Plazas, Theatres and such ~ yet all I want to do is wander with my camera and the one I love. I dream of what I will capture, both thru the lens and in my mind. I am sure these images will make their way into my book, and my memories of ethereal Venetian dreamscapes  will transform into paintings upon my return home.

I have been to Italy before as my sister lives there in a beautiful old country farm house. I love connecting with the European way of life, and I love the countryside! From Venice we will venture down to the Marche region, to the quaint old towns of Jesi and Gubbio. In May the poppies will be abloom  on the rolling green hills,  the sun will be warm and rich and we will dine al fresco with family and friends. I will seek out treasures too ~ old glass, linens and relics from another time. In this image from another trip, Janet’s cat Angel found a perfect spot to sit  on an old tapestry I was airing out before bundling it off to Vancouver.

Ah, Italy offers the texture of life! Travel immerses our senses into new, at times overwhelming, encounters for our senses. This stimulation is so wonderful for the creative process. Just a change in the quality of light can transform the way we see something.        I look forward to sharing more tales and textures from our trip along the way…..

All photos Heather Ross